Buddhists: Would you agree that Buddhism is the best thing you have in your life?

Buddhists: Would you agree that Buddhism is the best thing you have in your life?

No.

Buddhism is a fantastic concept that I want to study further, so if I did have it then it could very well be.

Id say so, yes. I have never been happier since I found Buddhism.

You know, it's a very materialistic way to ask the question. Having things is not all there is to life, and "having" is not perhaps the best way to describe ones spiritual life. My spiritual outlook and practice are Buddhist, as are my beliefs. They affect my whole life, my relationships, work, politics. Buddhism is very important in my life.

Buddhist thought is a great philosophy as long as you can separate it from all the birth and death recycling of the souls garbage. There is no end of suffering no matter how hard you try to make it so. There is an acceptance of it and an understanding of it. There is a point where you understand that it is just your turn to suffer and your choice to suffer but to end it is to end your own humanity. I for one would not see this as a good thing. But the philosophy of Buddhist thought is sound. Divorce it from religion and it is wonderful stuff. I personally recommend ZEN which seems to be the most devoid of religiosity.

In conventional terms I would say yes, but from the ultimate point of view the Buddha Dharma is not something you can "have." Chapter seven of the Diamond Sutra makes this point:

"What do you think, Subhuti, has the Tathagata arrived at the highest, most fulfilled, awakened mind? Does the Tathagata give any teaching?"

The Venerable Subhuti replied, "As far as I have understood the Lord Buddha's teachings, there is no independently existing object of mind called the highest, most fulfilled, awakened mind, nor is there any independently existing teaching that the Tathagata gives. Why? The teachings that the Tathagata has realized and spoken of cannot be conceived of as separate, independent existences and therefore cannot be described. The Tathagata's teaching is not self-existent nor is it non-self-existent. Why? Because the noble teachers are only distinguished from others in terms of the unconditioned."

Buddha Dharma teaches that all phenomena, including the Buddha's teachings, are not unchanging independent things that can be held on to as if they were permanent isolated objects. All things - including our own forms. feelings, perception, mental formations, and our stream of consciousness - are interdependent and in a constant state of flux. This does not mean that they don't exist at all, but it does mean that existence is ultimately not of graspable, isolated things. When we realize this on a very deep visceral level we can overcome the habits of attachment and aversion. To awaken to a way of life free of attachment, aversion, and delusion and characterized instead by selfless compassion is the best possible thing you can "have" (but of course its not some-thing you can have).

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei

Not at all, both are quite impermanent which cannot be possessed but like the nave of the wheel nothing supports much. Apply the grease of attachment and the wheel turns. The most valued nature of Being relies on naught.

Yes.

yes!

Haw Haw Haw
The fools make me rich

Totally yes.